February 2007 Board Meeting Report

The Illinois Valley Board of Trustees approved a new certificate in Warehousing and Distribution on Wednesday night and authorized the administration to seek approval for the program from the Illinois Community College Board.

IVCC will offer a new 16 credit hour certificate in Warehousing and Distribution designed to prepare individuals for entry-level employment in the transportation, warehousing and distribution industries. Courses in the new certificate will include math, basic computer skills, industrial safety and six warehousing specific courses. The college is working to establish a partnership with a local business to provide the opportunity for hands-on experience in a warehouse setting.

Two Illinois Valley Community College faculty members were granted tenure by the IVCC Board of Trustees. Anna Marie Pietrolonardo, world languages instructor and Karen Zeilman, art instructor both with the division of Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences gained tenure status.

Faculty members are eligible for tenure after they complete their third year of teaching. Tenure review involves a rigorous review process that includes classroom evaluations, student evaluations and the development and presentation of a portfolio of their accomplishments stated Dr. Harriet Custer, vice president for academic affairs.

In other business, the board designated the fiscal year 2008 budget to be July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, adopted the budget calendar as presented and authorized Dr. Larry Huffman, president to begin the process of preparing the tentative budget for IVCC.

A tuition increase by credit hour was approved by the board of trustees. IVCC needed to consider increasing its combined tuition and universal fee rate to balance its budget regardless of the rule requiring community colleges that receive an equalization grant to be at a level that is at least 85% of the state average. The board approved a $2.50 tuition increase raising the current tuition from $56 to $58.50 per credit hour beginning with the summer of 2007 semester, bringing the total tuition and universal fee per credit hour to $65.75, discontinuing the $20 graduation fee, the $2 per transcript fee and adjusting fifty-one course fees.

The board also approved decreasing the tuition rate for students enrolled in the Early Entry College courses to one-half of the tuition rate for fiscal year 2008 or $29.25 per credit hour for high school students enrolled in the program.

In other business the board:

Heard a presentation from Steve Crick, director of Financial Aid on the current status of the financial aid office.

Approved stipends for pay periods ending Jan. 13 and Jan. 27.

Accepted a bid for instructional welding supplies from S. J. Smith Welding Supply, Streator in the amount of $4,248 and items from Airgas North Central, Peru in the amount of $10,426.

Rejected all bids for industrial/electrical equipment and instructional supplies and authorized the administration to re-bid.

Approved the purchase of two Sympodium Interactive Displays and three Airliner Wireless Slates from Klaus, Co., Peoria in the amount of $4,494.

Approved the revised board policy on board meetings and operations.

Approved an agreement with Midwest Energy Alliance, LLC.

The board authorized:

The college to officially notify the Sheridan Correctional Center instructional and academic support staff of the annual reduction in force, subject to the continuation of the funding grant.

The business office to seek bids to renovate one display case in building E.